Electromagnetic waves traveling in the air do not possess potential energy in the traditional sense. Potential energy typically refers to the energy stored in an object due to its position or state. However, electromagnetic waves do carry energy, which is referred to as electromagnetic energy or radiant energy.
The energy carried by electromagnetic waves is related to their frequency and intensity. In the case of electromagnetic waves in the air, such as radio waves, microwaves, or visible light, their energy is associated with their frequency. Higher-frequency waves, such as X-rays or gamma rays, carry more energy than lower-frequency waves, such as radio waves.
The energy of an electromagnetic wave is quantized in packets called photons. The energy of each photon is proportional to the frequency of the wave. According to quantum theory, the energy of a photon is given by the equation E = hf, where E is the energy of the photon, h is Planck's constant (approximately 6.626 x 10^-34 joule-seconds), and f is the frequency of the electromagnetic wave.
It's important to note that while electromagnetic waves carry energy, they do not possess potential energy related to their position or height in the gravitational field, as is the case with objects in a gravitational field. The energy of electromagnetic waves is purely kinetic, associated with their motion through space.